Educational leadership is the process through which individuals or groups in educational settings guide vision, decision-making, and organizational practices to improve teaching, learning, and institutional performance ^[1][2][3]. It refers to leadership actions at multiple levels (classroom, school, district, and system) that align people, resources, and policies with educational goals ^[1][2]. Educational leadership is characterized by direction-setting, instructional support, capacity building, and accountability, including how leaders influence school climate, professional collaboration, and the quality of learning opportunities [2–4]. In research and policy contexts, the term denotes leadership specifically oriented to educational purposes and outcomes, distinguishing it from general organizational management that is not directly focused on learning and equity ^[1][2][3].